under another sun

A wooden horse called Peter Began work this morning at eight on dragon-related stuff. Anton came around for a cup of tea at lunchtime and we had some dragon-related chats, and as I type this I am waiting to go off to the Eddy with him to further discuss this and other important matters over a pint or two of Harveys bitter. Otherwise still busy planting seeds for next year's income. Talked to another headhunter and have made an appointment to see my accountant on Thursday. Also chatted to The Gnome to see how he was getting on, and talked to Sophie, and emailed with Katie who sent me a useful contact. Cooked a beanjar today so was able to warm the house from the oven and fill it with herby and comforting beanjar smells all day. Took myself for a couple of walks. I am becoming slightly obsessed with the pier. I started writing something the other day that is set on it, and so have been drifting back to check the details. Something about places that are out of season that I love. Some...

A rainy Bank holiday Another day of unmitigated rain. I worked on my poems first thing for a couple of hours. Really feel like I am making progress. Then went out for a mooch in the drizzle where I was randomly raged-at by a driver as I walked along the pavement which made me want to punch his head. After walking for an hour or so down by the sea I began to feel curiously queasy and out of sorts. In the drizzle, home was a big and clever place to be on a dire, cold day. The rest of the day much pleasanter and enjoyed hanging out with with Anton and Anna and the bairns. Finally took the package Sprinkles had sent to me for them up the road. Photos of Anna and Anton in their kitchen, and a strange photo of me and Anton in clashing loud shirts, which I have too. Anna cooked a roast chicken and Jersey potatoes and organic greens and asparagus. Heard all about her work trip to Budapest, and Anton and Anna's anniversary trip to Bath. A bit later as the kids went to bed, I was invited to ...

Audiophile Today was all about listening to the sound files from the first stage of the Dragon walk and editing all the more obvious drivel out to then send it into the radio station to see what they think. Actually I came away feeling fairly pleased at how natural we sounded, as opposed to our Cholmondley-Warnerish first attempt. The irritating editing program took some getting used to, and I found myself grinding my teeth as I worked on my laptop going into work. I also worked on it during my lunch break, and then at home in the evening. It is even more time-consuming than doing the walk itself, but interesting nevertheless - and is giving me all kinds of spin off ideas. It also makes me feel like going around collecting sounds for their own sake. Like the tapping and whistling sound of the wind through yacht masts, or the wind surging like a soft sea through trees which we briefly caught on the walk. I could listen to those sounds for ages.

Following the serpent to Burpham Met Anton and we went to Marks and Spencer’s in Tilley hats, Craghopper trousers, Berghaus anoraks, proper Swiss walking boots. Anton was also sporting gaiters strapped around his calf. In his rucksack were Ordnance Survey maps, a compass, the first aid box and a nicely constructed baguette with bacon, lettuce, tomato and I think a dab of mustard. My rucksack contained an emergency banana, a camera, information about dragons Anton had found, and the Bone of Contention - the small MP3 recorder which had so treacherously let us down last time. Off to Littlehampton on the train. Today the weather was very different from when we walked it before, dark clouds, very strong wind and sun over a greenish and choppy sea. There was a moment when walking to our start point Anton suddenly felt really ill and wussy, and I thought the curse of the Dragon had struck again. However he felt a bit better after a sit down and some food. He had a snuffling cold and has not...

Dove and Serpent Back to work but, as the earlier Wittgenstein says, what we cannot speak of we must pass over in silence. It was nice, however, to see the Gnome, and Trace who told me a small amount about what sounds like an amazing trip to China. Sloped off with the FB at lunchtime for two plates of hake and a few chortles in the Dove. I love that place and it was good to be there shooting various breezes with the French Bloke in the darkest corner of the old part of the pub. Listening to a new book on my iPod called Samuel Pepys: the Unequalled Self by Claire Tomalin. Fascinating listening, which puts Pepys in his historical context at the time of Cromwell and Charles II and so on. Absorbing stuff, especially as this is one of my blank spots in history. In fact I'd say that my worst blank spot was roughly 1300-1800. It is amazing to have only a sketchy knowledge of entire centuries. I blame my school. I dropped history as soon as I could because it was so appallingly taught. My...

The Dragon Quest begins Finally after lots of talking and no walking, I strapped on my walking boots this morning and Anton and I headed off by train to Littlehampton, which is a pleasant little town that Anton dislikes. We paused only at Marks and Sparks by the station (a.k.a. my larder) to buy sandwiches, and bottled water, and on the train we had to work out again how to use the sound recorder, as I had left the instructions at home. (At least I had written them down.) Arriving at Littlehampton we bagan a futile search for a ferry which didn't exist. Finally we ask someone and, had to double back through town. We crossed the river on the footbridge and trudged the half mile or so down to the pebbles of the West Beach, where the Dragon Quest walk officially begans. We spoke some words into the MP3 recorder and then began the walk to find the origin of the River Arun, as well as try to find the dragon in St Leonard's forest. Our direction was due north, inland, past Littleham...

London parakeets and Sussex dragons Another incredibly relaxed day at work. Even had a chance to look at my poems in the morning, and then had another hour's walk along the river. Trace came with me again. Walking and talking is very nice with her, but if Trace does have a fault it is in the encouragement and love she gives to every unspeakable dog we encounter. In the evening up to Anton's place and scarfed some Chinese grub and talked about the Dragon Project and peered a bit at the map. The first leg, which we are doing on Saturday, starts on a fossil beach, goes past prisons, an abandoned canal, two sewage works, the remains of an Augustinian Priory and ends up at the lovely Arundel topped with its beautiful castle. Should make wonderful couple of minutes of radio, and a lovely walk too. Also talked about The Time Traveler's Wife which Anton read before me. Sloped home, quite tired, and had brief IMage with the lovely Sprinkles before beddy byes. She will be in England...

A happy Monday Lovely to sleep in until 8:30 this morning. I am feeling worn out and the prospect of being able to have a week of zzzzzzs in the morning is entirely wonderful. Woke up to some very interesting email from Sprinkles. Then Anton and I went to the local BBC radio for a chat and to be shown how to use a small MP3 recorder. We met Neil Pringle and Lanie Whiting of BBC breakfast team, and very nice they were too. Neil gave us some good, practical advice on what to record and what to think about when recording. Anton and I will do some recording on the first leg of the Dragon walk two Saturdays from now - and we'll see how it goes. It's all good fun. Both quite cheerful about this. Went off to a shop and got a cable to connect my iPod to my stereo, and a new phono stage which Anton assured me I needed for the turntable. Also looking at TVs as it would be nice to have one that isn't the size of a matchbox. Home and Anton kindly set up the equipment before having to g...

A Sprinkly Saturday Well thank God for the weekend. Feeling drained and sorethroaty, and slept for two blessed hours in the afternoon after attending to a few minor chores. Best part of the day was reserved for speaking to Sprinkles. She is expanding my database with new information about certain delicious sounding items of Philippine cuisine, and introducing me to some new words in Tagalog such as beer for er... beer. Spoke for hours and we are very much looking forward to her visit at the end of April. Saw Anton in the latter part of the evening. The family are home from skiing where everybody got ill. I didn't see Anna as she had gone straight to bed, and the bairns had been a bit poorly especially Oskar who had to have cold flannels put on him to reduce his temperature due to an ear infection. We ate a delivery curry and planned and schemed about the Dragon business. Anton cleverly wants to put in a list of the worst ten types of dog, which I think is an excellent idea. Slope...